Don’t Blow Your Top

Don’t Blow Your Top by Ame Dyckman. Illustrated by Abhi Alwar. Scholastic 2024. PB RRP $19.99. ISBN 978761528491

Reviewed by Debra Williams

Little Volcano is a little angry. The day starts as a beautiful day in paradise. Big and Little Volcanos are both happy. That is, until the unexpected occurs when a bird drops a rock into Little Volcano’s top. Will it be upset? It happened before, but now Little Volcano is a little older.

Big Volcano tells Little Volcano to breathe, to count and to have happy thoughts. It works until the same unexpected thing recurs, this time with two rocks dropped. Little Volcano forgets to breathe, count and have happy thoughts. And Little Volcano blows its top.

But Big Volcano reassures Little Volcano that it’s alright. That sometimes happens. They shake it off, calm down and are happy again…. until…. Big Volcano is the recipient of three rocks dropped into their top. This time, it is Little Volcano who calms the situation.

This is a story designed to help young children deal with their angry feelings, seeking ways to calm them and diffuse their emotions. Brightly illustrated, it is suitable for young children 3-6 years of age